Ofcom kills 36-month contracts, enforces mandatory 12-month options

Ofcom has choked 36-month mobile contracts to death, effectively reducing the maximum contract length offered by UK networks to 24 months. That finally brings us in line with EU telecoms law.

In other awesome news, providers will now be forced to offer 12-month options. No more being tied down for years with an ageing handset. You might think your Samsung Galaxy S II is great now, but in six months your mate will have a 24MP 4.8in beast with octo-core processing (not really).

Of course, we’ll inevitably have to fork out more for handsets on 12-month contracts, or alternatively pay more per month, but it’s nice to have the option, no?

Ofcom will also introduce a 999 SMS service, allowing registered users to contact the emergency services via text instead of calling. Ideal if someone has just karate-chopped you in the windpipe.

Ed Richards, Ofcom’s chief executive, said: "These changes to the regulations should make it easier for consumers to take advantage of the wide range of competition in the UK communications market. The emergency SMS scheme has proved very successful. It is right that this service should be made permanent in order to safeguard it for the people who depend on it."

I don't think 36 month contracts would be too bad if it included insurance (which right now costs a ruddy fortune). Many people like my parents rarely feel the need to change their phone (it takes them 12 months to get used to it anyway!) so it's not a complete waste of space.

Whoopee! At last, no more being told by my network that there are no 12 month contracts available... muwahahahahaa!
I guess we'll be paying iphone tariffs (i.e. £50+ a month) for a Samsung Galaxy S2/HTC Desire HD/etc.

No the NEW news is that networks and their providers must offer a 12 month contract. Previously 12 month contracts were the norm but then slowly 18 month contracts become the minimum term allowed (unless it was an old phone or poor contract). Now OFCOM have finally stepped in and forced them to re-establish a 12 month option... again.